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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-12 PRC MINUTES• I. .II. City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMl\!IISSION Minutes of March 12, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:45pm by Chairperson Gomes at the Malley Senior Recreation Center, 3380 S. Lincoln Street. · Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman , Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Jim Woodward, Commission Member Christina Kruk, Youth Commission Member (arrived at 5:50pm) Donna Schnitzer, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Also Present: Bob Spada, Golf Operations Manager Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Rose Seemann, Owner, EnviroWagg, LLC (left at 6:15pm) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of February 12, 2009. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT • Dave Lee, Manager of Open Space, introduced and turned discussion over to Rose Seemann with EnviroWagg. Ms. Seemann told the Commission that EnviroWagg composts dog waste at no charge and recycles the waste into compost. Commission members were told that EnviroWagg currently has pilot programs for the City and County of Broomfield and Westminster and would like to start a similar program in the City of Englewood. Ms. Seemann explained EnviroWagg will provide at no cost covered roll-off bins plus compostable pick-up bags and dispensers for three locations: Centennial Park, Jason Park and Canine Corral. Ms. Seemann went on to explain that the only cost to the City of Englewood will be for signage at the parks informing park users of the program and how it works. The Commission was told that EnviroWagg will also meet with local businesses to secure annual sponsorships to cover costs and affix "sponsored by" signs on the collection bins. Ms. Seemann stated that the parks department will collect the dog waste at the parks and transport it to the Service Center where it will be picked up by Allied Waste every two weeks and transported up north to a recycling center in Eaton, CO. Ms. Seemann told the Commission that she is applying for a $1.5 million grant this year and with the Commission approval this evening, would like to include the City of Englewood as a participant in the grant application. Gomes spoke in regard to the stench from the dog waste from sitting at the Service Center for two weeks. Ms . Seemann told Gomes that the collection bins are all covered. Discussion followed in regard to other trash being thrown in the bins . Ms . Seemann reported that based on the current • programs in Broomfield and Westminster, the only problem seems to be with people using non- compostable bags . Ms . Seemann went on to say that if it becomes a big problem , then she would suggest that the City have an educational talk with its park users. Lee stated that the parks would try to rely on signage and goodwill of the park users. Commission Member Woodward asked if parks and recreation staff had a recommendation in regard to the program. Lee stated that the program is a far better alternative than putting the dog waste in to the landfill in addition to there being no extra cost to the City. City Council Liaison Mccaslin verified that there would be no cost to the City. Ms. Seemann explained that Enviro Wagg will cover the cost of the bins and bag dispensers in addition to a continuing supply of compostable bags. Discussion followed in regard to the scenario that neighbors could end up bringing their dog waste from their own yards to be recycled and creating an undo hardship on the parks staff. Lee explained that when he was presented with the proposal from EnviroWagg, the dog waste was to be directly picked up at each park which caused no additional hardship to parks staff. Lee went on to explain that currently staff already picks up and transports waste to the Service Center but if the City allows park users to bring their dog waste from home to be recycled , he is concerned that parks staff could easily be overwhelmed . Ms. Seemann stated that there has been no additional dog waste at the Westminster and Broomfield parks . Commission Member Waldman asked that if the program works at the three parks , is there a chance it would be implemented at other parks . Lee stated that the parks crew does not have the staff to add a new program; noting that the crew is already short one person. Woodward spoke in regard to the terms of the agreement; verifying that the program is to begin in • July and continue until either party decides to discontinue the program. Ms. Seeman verified that the terms stated are correct. In regard to the program being implemented at other parks , Ms. Seeman reported that En viro Wagg can financially support fifteen dispensers for the City of Englewood and as long as waste is collected from Canine Corral, the largest provider of dog waste, the City can disperse the dispensers as it wishes. A motion was made by Vice Chairperson \-Valdman and seconded by Commission Member Armstrong that the Parks and Recreation Commission moves to accept the idea of an agreement with Enviro\Vagg to enact a pilot program for dog waste recycling at Canine Corral with additional dispensers placed at the discretion of the Department of Parks and Recreation; per the terms of agreement discussed and at the discretion of either party. Ayes: Nayes: Gomes, \-Valdman, Armstrong, Garrett, Mccaslin, Miller, \-Voodward, Kruk, Schnitzer None The motion passed. Ms. Seemann thanked the Commission and requested a letter on behalf of the Board in support of the pilot program that she could include with her grant application . Ms. Seemann was told that • the Board would be happy to provide a letter of support. Ms. Seemann left the meeting. • • • IV. v. VI. VII. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no items for Unscheduled Public Comment. FIELD AND DROUGHT UPDATE Discussion was turned over to Lee for his annual spring field and drought update . Lee informed the Commission that due to having very little snowfall this winter, it is his recommendation again that the Department continue with allowing only internal user groups to utilize the fields and not allow any new users . A motion was made by Commission Member Armstrong and seconded by City Council Liaison Jim Woodward to uphold the current moratorium on field usage. Ayes: Nayes: Gomes, \-Valdman, Armstrong, Garrett, McCaslin, Miller, \-Voodward, Kruk, Schnitzer None The motion passed. JAMBAJUICE Black informed commission members th at when deemed appropriate, the Department of Parks and Recreation will allow a vendor at a facility or event to provide a service at a reduced fee or give a percentage of sales back to the Department. Black reported that Jamba Juice has a non- profit program that gives 25 % of its gross sales back to the organization in which they have approached the City to see if interested . Black asked the Commission if it felt that Jamba Juice was an appropriate vendor for the Department to allow at particular Dep artment events such as Kidstage and Sounds of Summer Concerts , special events and youth sporting events. Black noted that Jamba Juice is also a local vendor whose sales ta x comes back to the City. Commission members concurred th at it would be appropriate to allow Jamba Juice tat Department events. COMMUNITY GARDEN In regard to the Community Garden program that is being pursued b y the Cultural Arts Commission , Lee reported that a meeting was held with the Executive Dire ctor of Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), Michael Buchenau to discuss a community garden at the Depot property at Dartmouth and Santa Fe. Lee stated that the meeting with DUG provided the committee with the next steps to be taken including meeting with the neighbors , coming up with fundraising ideas and getting a formal committee started . Garrett asked if the community garden will begin this year. Lee stated that the committee feels it will be better to wait until this fall in order to allow time for grant applications and acquiring sponsorships. Garrett asked if there is parking at the Depot property. Lee replied yes . VIII. CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UPDATE Schnitzer gave an update on the Cultural Arts Commission. Schnitzer reported that Doug Cohn, Chairperson of Englewood Days , was at the meeting to discuss the inclusion of art in this year's Englewood Days event and David Taylor Dance Theater was also present to discuss the 2009 performances for the City of Englewood. Schnitzer informed the Commission that there will be a Farmer's Market this year in Englewood on Saturday mornings at the Acoma and Englewood Parkway lot. Schnitzer discussed MOA's plans for the 2009 Design and Build program. Schnitzer informed commission members of upcoming concerts and events including the Ah, Mozart concert on March 15th at 2pm in Hampden Hall. IX. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black announced that the City of Englewood and Englewood Schools will close on the second parcel of the Duncan property tomorrow. Waldman asked in regard to the City's plans for the development of the Duncan property and involving the neighbors in discussions. Bl ack told Waldman that the earliest the planning will begin will be in 2010. VII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE City Council Liaison Bob Mccaslin asked in regard to the Community Garden formal committee that will be formed and who will be repre sented on it. Lee stated that it is something still to be decided. Mccaslin reported that Keep Englewood Beautiful is interested in having a representative serve on the committee. Di scussion followed . Woodward discussed the recent affidavit that was filed with the City of Englewood to recall four City Council Members . Woodward stated that the affidavit has been pulled for the time being. Waldman reported that the Englewood Men's Club had its first tournament of the season; noting that the course was great. Discussion followed in regard to the Broken Tee Grill. Miller discussed the restructuring of Englewood Schools that will include the closure of the • Lowell Building, closing Maddox Elementary at an elementary school and using it as a facility for • the Early Childhood Education program and relocating the Englewood Leadership Academy to Englewood High School. Miller announced that Englewood School Board Member Shelley Thompson will be relinquishing her position on th e School Board due to her moving out of the district. Miller explained that the Board will be appointing a replacement for Ms . Thompson effective from April through November when the next election will be held. Armstrong asked in regard to coyote complaints the City has received . Mccaslin reported that he is not aware of any. Woodward stated that it is his understanding that the coyotes are not considered a problem in Englewood but knows that a few City staff members attended the recent Department of Wildlife symposium that instructed people to chase the coyotes away. Lee reported that he attended a seminar today that said most of the issues this year related to coyotes are due to the breeding season and foraging for food where pets represent competition. Hultberg informed commission members that new electronic message boards are being installed at the Englewood Recreation Center, Malley Senior Recreation Center, Broken Tee Golf Course and Pirates Cove that will advertise upcoming events , classes and facility information. Hultberg stated that the staff continues to market the Recreation Reward program to Englewood businesses that will include a mailing to more than 400 businesses . Woodward commented that the feedback from BID and ACE is that everyone is very excited about the new program. Lee spoke in regard to the June 2008 incident with Excel Energy and Wright Tree Service at Broken Tee Golf Course and notified the Commission that since then, Golf Course staff has been working with Excel Energy and Wright Tree Service in regard to issues including necessary trimming and pruning. Lee explained that Excel Energy has sent a report in addition to pictures for consultation and the City in regard to its recommendation to what needs to be trimmed this • • IX. • • spring which the City is in agreement with. Lee explained the trees to be trimmed are along holes #10 , 13 , 15 and 17 . Golf Operations Manager Bob Spada announced that Broken Tee Golf Course will begin taking online tee reservations the first of April. Spada explained the process for reserving a tee time online ; noting that a resident will be able to reserve a tee time seven da ys in advance where as a non-resident can reserve a tee time six days in ad v ance . Spada went on to explain that a household will be identified by its phone number and zip code. Spada stated that tee times can still be made by calling in to the Pro Shop and talking to a staff person, that this is just another option. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:02pm. 1t4/lfµdf d -~ Deborah A . Severa, Recording Secretary